Rosenau Castle

"It is wonderful to live here" thought Duke Ernst I, which is why he chose Rosenau Castel as his summer residence. The Duke of Saxony-Coburg-Saalfeld had the castle, which was originally medieval, redesigned in a neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. His father, Duke Franz Friedrich Anton, acquired the old knights' fiefdom of the lords of Rosenau in 1805, who had been in possession of the castle since 1451. During the reconstruction his beloved castle, Ernst I had the murals renewed in the parterre and the main floor above it tastefully furnished. The magnificent chandelier of wood is one of the most admired fixtures in these rooms. The Duke had it as well as the mirrors and furniture made in Vienna. He was a participant in the famous Congress of Vienna in 1814/15, which brought political reorganization after the Napoleonic Wars. By the way, during your tour through Rosenau Castle, you will be able to admire a round marble table, which was a gift from Prince Metternich, the leading statesman at the Congress of Vienna. But, that's enough of politics and history! Rosenau Castle was not built to discuss issues dealing with the basic European order. The summer residence - the "holiday home of the dukes" - was primarily used for relaxation by its residents and visitors. The English style garden naturally helped the ducal family to relax. Its design with a romantic rock grotto and tournament halls also dates back to Ernst I. Today's visitors to the castle are given a vivid answer to the question of how one could imagine ducal relaxation in the 19th century. The Biedermeier furniture, which one could classify as both neo-classical as well as neo-Gothic, leaves no doubt that the lords of the house had a well developed sense of modern interior decoration. Extravagantly designed parquet floors (a different pattern in each room) as well as colorful wall and ceiling painting give the rooms a lightness that is very untypical of a museum, which many visitors would like to have for their own "holiday quarters". One could almost think that the duke has just left the premises for a stimulating walk through the park - and he will be right back... The fact that it is even possible to present the castle to visitors in an authentic condition is due to England's Queen Victoria. You see, she had watercolor paintings made of most rooms, which were used for the restoration and which still hang in Windsor Castle today. Her Majesty often dwelled in Rosenau Castle with her husband Prince Albert. The son of the castle owner Ernst I was born here in 1819. His splendid cradle is one of the attractions of the summer residence. In the notes made by the Queen, who also visited Rosenau several times after the early death of her prince consort, we find her famous remark: "If I were not who I am, I would have my real home here."

Marble Hall

The marble hall on the ground floor is remarkably well preserved. Court balls in "old German dress" used to take place in this three-bay cloister vault hall. This is also where young Prince Albert was baptized on September 19th. Today, weddings are possible in the marble hall of Rosenau Castle, and summer concerts also take place there regularly.

Library - former chapel

The library is an eleven-sided room that used to be completely paneled in wood and which borders directly on the marble hall. Later, the room was converted into a Russian Orthodox chapel. However, today it has been reconverted back into the original furnishings of a library.

Ruins

The ruins of Rosenau Castle used to be a tower of the old southwest curtain wall. When it fell, the remains of the tower were left as a romantic reminder.

Commercial Building

The staircase to the castle takes you past the former commercial buildings. Besides the carriage house, once used for visitors' carriages, you will also find a small fountain and the former stalls. They were thoroughly renovated in 2002. On an approximate two square-meter area near the cashier, you can see the historical brick pavement, well protected under a glass slab. Since 2003, the building has housed the cashier, the museum shop and a small bistro.